Most of us
classic car enthusiasts caught the car bug in our early years by
either being interested in the mechanics of the machine, ownership
and memories of that first car in our teen years, or perhaps seeing
the beauty in want can be considered as art created by talented
designers and engineers. Whatever it took to capture our individual
interest in the old classic cars, today it can reasonably be
suggested there is a degree of sentimental attachment to owning, or
just seeing, one of these outstanding collectables from our past
years.

In the 70’s as a
teenager is when I purchased my first muscle car. A 1968 Chevrolet
Chevelle SS with a 396 cubic inch engine and 4 speed transmission.
In the years following there were other sporty looking cars in my
driveway, but nothing as spectacular as that Chevelle SS and the
sound of its powerful internal combustion engine.

Today, there are no
classic muscle cars in my garage. But there are a couple of true
early classics that have brought great enjoyment and ownership
pleasure to Candace and I.

It was because of
sentimental reason why I purchased my 1930 Ford Model A Coupe in
2014 from a very nice couple living in Rome, NY. The Model A is a
car that I have thought interesting for a very long time because of
its history associated with Henry Ford and the period in time as
being instrumental in the Industrial development and progression of
our country. However, what motivated me in purchasing the Model A
was stories told by my father of his first car. His car being a
Model A having a rumble seat that friends would bundle-up with
blankets when riding in during the winter months. He eventually gave
that car to his younger brother when serving as an officer during
World War II.

Around 2005 I had the
pleasure of meeting for the first time Ed Erler as he worked on his
1926 Ford Model T Roadster in his garage. It was Ed who in 2005
suggested I join the Model A Ford Club of America and learn all I
could about the Model A car if I was to own one. I took his advice
and became a member of the National MAFCA eventually purchasing
several technical manuals that support the Model A.

Again in 2016 Ed
Erler and I met and spoke in his garage in front of his Model T
Roadster. I had never considered, eleven years earlier, I would be
purchasing Ed Erler’s Model T Roadster from him. (Ed Erler, a
former member of Lake Erie Region AACA, passed away during the
summer of 2016. Some of you may remember Ed and his brother Charlie
and their 1917 Stanley Steamer).

The Model T Roadster
has given Candace and I many hours of fun driving it around local
roads here in Clarence. Considering top speed for the Roadster is
less than 35 MPH, we are never in a hurry to get to our destination
anytime quick. But, driving the Model T Roadster to the Clarence
Town Park to listen to their evening Summer Concert Series is made
so much more special arriving in a classic Roadster!

Recognizing Candace
and I belonged to two local car club chapters each sponsoring
destination events, the Ford Model A Coupe and the Model T Roadster

was finding it
difficult to keep up to some of the higher speeds of the road. We
needed a sharp looking, go fast, classic, post war car that followed
the generational progression of the previous two cars.

Our very good friend
Dennis Powers informed us a long time member of our club, Bill Wolff
was considering selling his 1946 Ford Business Coupe. Bill owned his
1946 Business Coupe for 20 years. Bill being a Master Mechanic and a
respected member of our car club, why would I look any further. I
purchased the 46 from Bill this past spring and have truly enjoyed
motoring to club events in it.

It has been a
pleasure owning and caring for these great time pieces. And, being
members of both the Lake Erie Region AACA chapter, and the Niagara
Frontier Region Model "A" Restorers Clubs, meeting new
members of the car clubs and making new friends along the way has
truly brought both great pleasure and enjoyable times to both
Candace and I.